The Diocese of Northern California is accepting names until July 7 in the search for its eighth bishop. The diocese posted an online profile (also available as a PDF) on May 28.
The online profile’s introduction uses imagery of bridges, including the Tower Bridge in the see city of Sacramento, to describe the eighth bishop:
A Bridge to One Another
We seek a bishop who can deepen the connections within the diocese. We seek a communicator: a chief evangelist whose compelling faith in Jesus Christ inspires collaboration between parishioners, congregations, deaneries, and the wider church. We seek a savvy user of technology who can help manage compelling communications between various groups and stakeholders.
A Bridge Between Cultures
We seek a bishop who is comfortable straddling numerous dichotomies within the diocese. While bridging the rural/suburban diversity is important, we also seek a bishop who can help build bridges between the congregations of our diocese and those communities in northern California that are not currently well served by them. We are especially concerned about those racial, linguistic, ethnic, and immigrant communities who form a large percentage of the population in this region but are underrepresented in the membership of the Episcopal Church. We seek a collaborative presence: a bishop who can build consensus around a new vision for the diocese.
A Bridge Over Obstacles
We seek a bishop who is skilled in the managerial tasks of the Episcopate; a seasoned administrator who is both creative and pragmatic in approaching the future of our diocese. We seek a bishop who can model evangelism, stewardship, and discipleship for both clergy and lay people. We seek a bishop who will act thoughtfully, critically, and strategically; who will regularly evaluate our goals and our success in achieving them; and who will assist struggling congregations in evaluating their health and developing strategies that enable them to support their mission and ministry.
A Bridge to Our Future
We seek a bishop who can help develop a compelling vision for the future of our diocese. We seek a bishop who will facilitate transformation by confronting our challenges honestly and directly; who is willing to propose, engage, and lead us in confronting difficult questions, having difficult conversations, and making difficult decisions; and who will lead us in taking responsibility and action for accomplishing our mission.
A Bridge to Our Ancient Faith
Ultimately, we seek a bishop who is anchored by the Good News of Jesus Christ. We seek a bishop who will be our chief evangelist; who communicates faith in Jesus Christ in a sincere and compelling way, leading us in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ to all people in northern California; and who will form and guide disciples by the Scriptures and Sacraments.
The diocese will hold an electing convention on Feb. 9, 2019.
Matthew Townsend is a Halifax-based freelance journalist and volunteer advocate for survivors of sexual misconduct in Anglican settings. He served as editor of the Anglican Journal from 2019 to 2021 and communications missioner for the Anglican Diocese of Quebec from 2019 to 2022. He and his wife recently entered catechism class in the Orthodox Church in America.
